The Pittsburgh Penguins have learned to win without Sidney Crosby and will have to do so again. / Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

Sidney Crosby's fractured jaw could cost him the scoring title and MVP award and his team the Presidents' Trophy.

The Pittsburgh Penguins say it's too soon after surgery to say how long he will be out, but medical protocol suggests he might need three or four weeks before he returns to the ice. That means that Crosby might not be back until the playoffs.

As Crosby starts to recuperate, his team has won 15 consecutive games and has a one-point edge on the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks for the Presidents' Trophy, which guarantees home-ice advantage through the playoffs. They are seven points ahead of the second-place Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference.

Even without Crosby, the Penguins should be able to hold their lead in the East. But if Crosby's talent is worth an extra win or two every dozen games, that could make a difference in the race with Chicago.

Crosby was a front-runner for the Hart Trophy because he had taken his game to another level this season after missing the better part of two seasons with concussion issues.

If Crosby is gone until the playoffs, he will have played only 75% of his team's regular-season games. Would that be enough for members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association to say he deserves the MVP? It's a borderline call, but Crosby probably will be helped by the fact that he's the captain of the league's hottest team.

In addition to Crosby being out, the Penguins announced Sunday that Paul Martin would be out up to six weeks after surgery for a broken bone in his hand. Martin is the team's No. 2 offensive defenseman, and the Penguins' top defenseman, Kris Letang, has been out with a broken toe.

The positive news for the Penguins is that Letang is expected back soon, and Evgeni Malkin recently returned after recovering from an upper-body injury. He historically has risen up to carry the team when Crosby has been injured.

The Penguins learned how to survive without Crosby when he was out with his concussion problems. And this season, they have clamped down on their defensive play, giving up nine goals over their past 11 games.

They will face the Buffalo Sabres at home on Tuesday. If they win, they will look to tie the NHL record of 17 consecutive wins Wednesday night against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The 1992-93 Penguins, led by current owner Mario Lemieux, hold the record.